Independent football reports, news & views from Australia and NZ

Newcastle finals start relies on penalties

Across Australia the winter football season is winding down, with many local Associations having their Grand Finals last weekend. In the State Leagues and new Premier Leagues, the home and away rounds have also largely wound down.

In the new NSW mens Premier League 1, for example, Sydney United 58 FC were proclaimed Premiers when they defeated Blacktown Spartans in round 22 but challengers Sutherland Sharks FC lost to Rockdale City Suns SC and Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC fell to Marconi Stallions SC.

In the Illawarra Premier League based on the Illawarra coast of NSW Port Kembla saw off all challengers to take out the Premiership.

In the Football NNSW (the Northern NSW Federation) its flagship competition, the NBN League entered its finals series phase.

The regular season ended with the evergreen Broadmeadow Magic FC as Premiers, but falling in the final round to Hamilton Olympic FC, by 2-0 . They had a bye in the first finals round over the weekend of 17 and 18 August, 2013. the play-offs pitted 2nd placed Lambton Jaffas FC against 3rd placed Hamilton Olympic FC for the right to play Magic next weekend.

In the second playoff Edgeworth Eagles FC hosted Weston Workers FC (who had been humbled in the final round by the Jaffas but still shaded Charlestown on the table).

Hamilton’s impressive keeper shows a safe pair of hands under pressure late in the game

BOTN was at Arthur Edden Oval at New Lambton (to the west of, and in sight of, Hunter Stadium) for the big clash between hosts, the Jaffas, and Olympic.

Ten-man Lambton Jaffas claimed a 4-3 win on penalties over Hamilton Olympic at Arthur Edden Oval yesterday, after the two sides finished even at 1-1 after 120 minutes of regular and extra time.

On a wonderful clear, sunny August day, a bumper crowd of around 700 gave a real finals buzz to the clash. This was even more impressive when you could actually see a large crowd just down the road for the Rugby League battle between the Newcastle Knights and Melbourne Storm.

It was a real finals game also on the park, with no quarter given. In the 18th minute Olympic’s Andrew Swan was brought down by Matthew Wilkes in the area. Mason Campbell send the keeper right and slammed it left from the spot. 1-0 to the visitors.

In the 57th minute Olympic substitute Matt Kenny just outside the area on the left hit a rising shot that ended in the top of the net, giving the keeper no chance. 1-1

Olympic were dominant, and when Jobe Wheelhouse was sent off for the Jaffas, on his second yellow, it seemed that regulation time would be enough.

Olympic could not capitalise on their extra man however, and it ended 1-1. Extra time was needed, and then with the game still deadlocked it went to penalties; as had the game the day before.

Weston now continue their finals campaign at Darling Street Oval in the minor semi-final against Hamilton next Saturday afternoon, while Edgeworth’s season comes to an end. They will be disappointed in that outcome along with their loss on penalties to Urunga Raiders FC in the State Cup.